Romans 11:2
God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεῷ
God
G2316
θεῷ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
4 of 26
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαὸν
people
G2992
λαὸν
people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
6 of 26
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὃν
which
G3739
ὃν
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
8 of 26
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
οἴδατε
Wot ye
G1492
οἴδατε
Wot ye
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
12 of 26
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τί
what
G5101
τί
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
15 of 26
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
λέγων,
saith
G3004
λέγων,
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
16 of 26
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γραφή
the scripture
G1124
γραφή
the scripture
Strong's:
G1124
Word #:
18 of 26
a document, i.e., holy writ (or its contents or a statement in it)
ὡς
how
G5613
ὡς
how
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
19 of 26
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἐντυγχάνει
he maketh intercession
G1793
ἐντυγχάνει
he maketh intercession
Strong's:
G1793
Word #:
20 of 26
to chance upon, i.e., (by implication) confer with; by extension to entreat (in favor or against)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεῷ
God
G2316
θεῷ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
22 of 26
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
κατὰ
against
G2596
κατὰ
against
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
23 of 26
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Psalms 94:14For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.Acts 3:17And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.Romans 9:23And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,Genesis 44:15And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?1 Peter 1:2Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Historical Context
Elijah's crisis occurred during Ahab's reign (870s BC) when Baal worship dominated Israel under Jezebel's influence. The prophet's depression after Mount Carmel (1 Kings 19) led him to believe the entire nation had apostatized. Paul uses this historical precedent to interpret his own era.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the significance of God's 'foreknowledge' being the basis for His covenant faithfulness rather than Israel's merit?
- How does Elijah's misperception of Israel's spiritual state mirror potential misunderstandings about first-century Judaism?
- When have you felt like Elijah—isolated in faithfulness—and what does God's preservation of a remnant teach you?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew—the verb proegnō (προέγνω, "foreknew") denotes God's electing love from before creation, not mere prescience. This foreknowledge grounds Israel's security in God's eternal decree, not their performance. Paul then appeals to Scripture (1 Kings 19:10-14), citing Elijah's intercession against Israel (kata τοῦ Ἰσραήλ). The Greek preposition kata can mean "against," showing Elijah's despair had turned into accusation.
The rhetorical question ouk oidate (οὐκ οἴδατε, Wot ye not) assumes the Roman believers know the Elijah narrative but haven't applied it correctly. Elijah's isolation felt total—he believed he alone remained faithful. Paul will show (v. 4) that God's perspective differed radically from the prophet's. This pattern of a faithful remnant amid national apostasy becomes paradigmatic for understanding first-century Israel.